UVa. falls in Paradise Jam

Virginia sophomore guard Joe Harris missed a three-point attempt in the closing seconds after a steal of an inbounds pass by UVa junior guard Jontel Evans, and TCU held on for a 57-55 victory over the Cavaliers in the opening round of the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam on Friday (Nov. 18).

Harris made a three-pointer with seven seconds remaining in the game to cut UVa’s deficit to two points.

The loss was the first of the season for the Cavaliers, who are now 2-1. With the victory TCU improves to 3-0 on the season.

Harris and senior forward Mike Scott each scored 13 points for the Cavaliers. Scott led Virginia with eight rebounds and Harris had six.

Senior guard Hank Thorns led  all scorers in the game with 16 points for TCU, while senior guard J.R. Cadot scored 12 points and junior forward Garlon Green had 10 points. Junior guard Nate Butler had eight rebounds to lead the Horned Frogs.

TCU used a 14-0 run late in the first half to take an 11-point lead (28-17) with 1:56 left to play before halftime. The Cavaliers outscored the Horned Frogs 6-1 the remainder of the half and TCU led 29-23 at halftime. Virginia turned the ball over 14 times in the first half and TCU had 11 turnovers.

UVa battled back in the second half to lead 36-35 with 11:19 remaining in the game on a basket by senior center Assane Sene.

The teams were tied 41-41 with 7:35 to play after a jump shot by Virginia sophomore guard KT Harrell, but a 7-0 run by the Horned Frogs gave them the lead for good. Thorns had five points in the run, including a three-pointer.

Virginia shot 37.5 percent (15-40) from the field for the game, including 40 percent (6-15) from three-point range, and 65.5 percent (19-29) from the free-throw line.

TCU shot 44.2 percent (19-43) from the field, including 38.5 percent (5-13) from three-point range,and 82.4 percent (14-17) from the free-throw line.

The Horned Frogs outrebounded Virginia 30-28. TCU had 21 turnovers in the game and UVa had 19.

Virginia now plays Drexel Saturday (Nov. 19) afternoon at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time in the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam. Drexel lost to Norfolk State 61-56 on Friday.